Carbines and More... Detroit July 1967

[butlersrangers]

I was born in Detroit, but, grew up in Royal Oak, Mich. (I belonged to a Detroit Boy Scout Troop and we use to go annually to Irnwagle Scout Camp on Lake Erie, near Leamington. I think it is a Provincial Park, now).

In 1967, I was a Freshman in college. During the Summer Break, I was working as a Mailer at the Detroit News and old Detroit Times buildings. I would drive to 8 Mile & Woodward Ave., park, take the DSR Bus to Grand Circus Park, and walk a few blocks to work. My family felt a bond to Detroit. We had lots of friends and family, who lived there, worked for the City and felt it safe. (Like any city, there were known areas to avoid).

On the Sunday, when the riots broke out, I was driving to Church and heard on the Radio about a disturbance after a "Police Raid on a Blind Pig". Later in the afternoon, I was watching a Movie on CKLW (Windsor TV Station). Announcements started being made for Michigan National Guard Units to report to the Light Guard Armory and Artillery Armory.

I received a telephone call, from the Mailer's Union Steward, warning me not to go to work on Monday, there was "Sniping from "Overpasses at Cars", and it was not safe to come in to the City. Men, who were working to put out the newspapers, were being kept at the workplaces.

The next day, (Monday), Radio reports, and T.V. News captivated the area. Word of mouth spread accurate information, as well as, rumors. I remember instructing my Mother and Sister on how to load and fire a break-action shotgun. There was an area wide evening curfew and restrictions on going into Detroit. Around 9pm, I was talking outside with neighbors, it was deathly quiet. Suddenly, there was a strange moaning noise. It was the 'lugged tires' of N.G. Military Vehicles on Woodward Ave. rolling into Detroit.

I was not able to go to work, until Thursday. I carpooled with a friend/co-worker. The City was unnaturally still. At lunch-time, we sat on the loading-dock eating sack lunches. The only street traffic, because it was so alien, seemed like Jeeps & Military Trucks with Guardsmen armed with Garands and M1 Carbines, with bayonets fixed.

Later in August, 1967, I was visiting relatives in Northern Michigan. The local National Guard Unit retuned 'Home', during that time, and there was a 'Parade'. It made me sad and confused. A lot of people were happy and celebrating, but, for me it was like 'being happy at a funeral'. This was not any kind of victory, but, a terrible loss.

I didn't ride the Bus to work anymore. I drove in the Safety of my car. A lot of People gave up hope that Detroit was 'improving', or ever going to improve, and sold their homes for 25 cents on the Dollar.

Maybe Detroit is on the rebound. It is so geographically blessed that there will always be a major city, there. But, 50 years of stumbling, pain, and lack of progress for many, for what?

I don't care for the Revisionist terms and rationalizations: "Rebellion", "Revolt", "Protest", "Revolution". It was a RIOT, hurt many, and killed Trust. The 'Social Fabric' is a tricky thing. - IMHO